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REACH Therapeutic Riding Center

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Reach!
Spring 2012

A Salute to Our Veteran Heroes

Welcome to a New Year at the Center!
A new year brings new improvements to REACH! Beautiful American and Texas flags now fly over our center, thanks to Mitchell Spooner and Boy Scout Troop 308. Our arena will be lit up brightly with two new lightpoles, providing light for evening lessons and the Horses for Heroes program. And speaking of Horses for Heroes, the program continues to grow as we welcome our new coordinator for the program, Karen Fraser. This spring finds REACH continuing to grow. We have surpassed the 40-rider mark this semester! We welcome back all of our continuing riders and families but extend a special greeting to our new participants. Thank you for your trust and allowing us the privilege of providing hippotherapy and therapeutic riding to you and your loved ones. REACH could never have achieved what we have so far without the volunteers who continue to graciously donate their time and talents. Thanks to Kristin Volcik who tirelessly leads our volunteer team and the volunteers who are the foundation of each and every ride. On a sad note, we learned of the unexpected death of volunteer Velma McDaniels in December. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, Ricky. Take care and see you at the barn. Barbara Epps Program Director As you drive up to the Center this spring youll notice a new flagpole proudly displaying the American and Texas flags. Donated by Boy Scouts of America Troop 308, the pole, flags and surrounding landscape improvements were the idea and project of Mitchell Spooner, senior at Reicher High School and candidate for Eagle Scout. The project is dedicated to REACH and the veterans involved in the Horses for Heroes program, said Spooner. Their sacrifices and dedication to our nation are an inspiration to us all. I hope the flags will reflect that feeling. Troop 308 will present a formal dedication ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 5:00 pm. Everyone is invited.

Mark Your Calendar

Spring 2012 Session Dates Feb. 7 May 11 No Classes: March 13 17 (Spring Break) April 3 7 (Easter Break) Spring Horse Show Saturday, May 12

Cowgirl Get Together Makes Generous Gift

Thank you to Michelle Carson, organizer of the annual CowGirl Get Together in Tyler, Texas, for presenting a check for $8,200 to the Horses for Heroes program. Their generosity and support will benefit the veterans and their families in our area.

The use of the riding facility is made possible through the generosity of Gary and Diane Heavin.
www.REACHtrc.org REACHtrc@earthlink.net www.Facebook.com/REACHtrc 254-848-7888

EQUUS Foundation Announces New CHAMPIONS Program

The EQUUS Foundation has announced the launch of the CHAMPIONS program an incentive-based equine service volunteer program to recognize and reward individuals and organizations on the carrots4acause network. To become a CHAMPION, an individual must log a minimum of 24 volunteer hours from January 1st to December 31st. The volunteer hours will be verified by the organization and The EQUUS Foundation. Once you achieve CHAMPION status, continue to log in your volunteer hours throughout the year as there are benefits still under development that involve rewards for the quantity of service. Win a Grant for REACH! Individuals who achieve CHAMPION status will be eligible for a drawing where the winner may select a charity on the carrots4acause network to receive an EQUUS Foundation grant. A minimum of $5,000 in one or more grants will be awarded. The drawing will be conducted on or before May 1st in the year following the close of the awards period. Go to www.equusfoundation.org/get-involved-individual.php to sign up for the CHAMPIONS program! For our student volunteers EQUUS offers the Champion of Equine Service Scholarships . . . Individuals achieving CHAMPION status who have a GPA of 3.0 or above will be eligible to apply for CHAMPION of Equine Service scholarships. The eligible individuals will be required to complete an online application by February 15, 2013, including submission of the most current grade transcript from the high school, college, or graduate school the individual is attending. The scholarship applications will be evaluated by a committee appointed by The Board of Directors. The number of hours of community service over and above the 24-hour minimum requirement and the impact of the community service will be taken into consideration in the selection process. The EQUUS Foundation will select and notify the scholarship recipients by May 1, 2013. Upon submission of proof of college admission/enrollment by the scholarship recipient, The EQUUS Foundation will disburse the $1,000 to the educational institution of the recipient. Eligible educational institutions include colleges, universities, trade schools, and vocational schools with an IRS 501c3 tax exempt status. A minimum of five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

Heroes
A PATH INTERNATIONAL HORSES FOR VETERANS PROGRAM

Honoring soldiers injured in service in partnership with the horse.

H
Horses for
REACH

Spring Session of Horses for Heroes Gets Underway

Horses for Heroes kicked off the new year on Tuesday, January 31, with 12 participants and volunteers in attendance. Larry Barnett reviewed the first session and laid out plans for spring. After dinner, veterans and volunteers moved to the barn for a lungeing demonstration and practice. The new session brings a familiar face with a new title. Please welcome volunteer and PATH instructor, Karen Fraser, as our new Horses for Heroes Coordinator. Karen will be assisting Larry Barnett, Horses for Heroes Program Director, in marketing, recruiting and facilitating the program.

Join the 2012 REACH Pony Club

Be the power behind our horses and help support by becoming a Clydesdale, Thoroughbred or Shetland Pony level member. Receive an I Support REACH window sticker for your car, a REACH Your Potential coffee mug, or the cool new iReach t-shirt for 2012, designed just for Pony Club members. Sign-up forms are available in the volunteer room and front office. And remember, volunteers and rider families can join for half-price!

2012 REACH Calendars

Help support REACH and keep track of your important appointments with the new 2012 REACH calendar! Thank you to Krystin Snodgrass for designing and producing the calendars. Each month features pictures of riders, horses, volunteers and staff.

Save Your Paper Feed bags

Were collecting paper feed bags to make tote bags as a fundraiser. Please bring your empty, flattened bags to Sue in the front office. And if you have a sewing machine and want to help, ask Sue for the directions!

Calendars are for sale in the office - only $20!

The real heroes of our center are listed below. In appreciation to each of you for your unique and generous contribution to the people and programs of REACH.

HORSESHOE HEROES
Classic Equine Congress Clothing Mike & Lu McDonald

Founders Club
Gary & Diane Heavin Larry & Marilyn Barnett Brazos Higher Education Fentress Foundation Steve & Candace Harrison The First National Bank of Central Texas

Trail Boss

Cowboy
Bent Bucket Ministries Joe Calao & Christine Bergeron Central National Bank Hope Therapy Jaynes, Reitmeyer, Boyd & Therrell Diane McEachern Data Systems of Texas Don Sharp Wells Fargo Bank Wrangler
Alliance Bank Wes & Rebecca Bailey Bird-Kultgen Ford Community Bank & Trust Dr. & Mrs. Steven Cutbirth Billy & Patty Davis HOT Fair & Rodeo Dr. & Mrs. Kelly Irons ManeGait Therapeutic Riding Center Kay & Lyndon Olson, Jr. Providence Healthcare Network Clifton & Betsy Robinson Sams Club Waco Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities

Horseshoe Circle
American Quarter Horse Foundation Cooper Foundation Heart of Texas Electric Co-op Larry & Donna Morden Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation

Stable Mate
Christian Mission Concerns Extraco Banks HEB Beth Key - Fire Dr. Ed Lee - Blys Jennifer Matthews - Cody Shawn & Misty Petree - Aggie Susan Spooner - Sizzler Sonja Stamness - Simon Kendra Suhling - Chex & Topper Joyce Verona - Lady

Tenderfoot
Lynn Allinson American Bank Rachel Ashcraft Sidney Bolfing Cahill Quarter Horses Kathi Childers Lauri Cole Mike & Pat Combs Gerald Cox, DDS Pediatric Dentistry Mr. & Mrs. Bill Curtis Bill & Patty Davis

Kyle & Diane Deaver Chuck Doherty Ron & Barbara Epps Heather Field Firmin Business Forms Lisa Ford Juan Garcia Zandy & Carol Goode Allison Harrison Vivian Harvey Rick Hines Henry Saddlery Hole in the Roof Andy Horn Builder & Developer Independent Bank Rupert Issacson Jan Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Harold Johnson Anita Karney Tracy Kelly, DVM Ramsgate Veterinary Clinic Nancy Lacy Jim & Karen Lane April Langston Julie Latino Jay & Patricia Levine Krystal Lund John McClaren Chevrolet Annie McCollum Kari McKown Merry Maids Larry & Penny Moore Christine Oxford Patricia Peacock Pioneer Steel & Pipe, Inc. Paul Ruiz Betsy Simpson Chad Smith Betsy Snipon John Spelman Co. Spooner Family Dee Springer Shelby Thompson Kristin Volcik Ann Whitley Kathy Williams

REACH Therapeutic Riding Center Mission Improving the health, increasing the confidence, and promoting the independence of persons with special needs through the use of horses.